Barbara Adams Purcell, a 44-year resident of Mercer Island, passed away Friday, October 8th after suffering a sudden heart failure at the age of 81. Her husband, Alec, and daughter, Robin, were by her side.

Barbara was born to Dovie and Noel Adams in Fieldale, VA where she grew up. In high school there, she met her future husband, Alec. After high school she attended Meredith College and later finished her BA in English at Old Dominion University while raising two daughters, Margaret and Robin.

Active as a community volunteer, she was a member of the Junior League and a Girl Scout troop leader. She taught in elementary schools in Norfolk, VA for several years prior to her family’s move to Mercer Island. Shortly after, she started her real estate career at George Lister and later joined John L. Scott. She spent over 30 years pursuing her real estate career, and was in the top 1% in that firm for much of it.

Barbara enjoyed skiing, tennis, pickleball, and bridge. And especially spending time with family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father and daughter Margaret Cameron, and is survived by her husband Alec Purcell, daughter Robin Kopeikin, mother Dovie Adams, and sister, Betty Jo Plaster, along with grandchildren, Kyle and Madison Cameron, and Ryan and Kendall Kopeikin.

There will be a Celebration of Life on November 12, 3:00 p.m., at the Mercer Island VFW Hall.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.